America In Retreat

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It is well known that George W. Bush left office with low approval ratings and with sighs of relief from many foreign leaders. In contrast, Barack Obama rode a wave of popularity into the White House and the chancelleries of much of the world. But now, eighteen months into the Obama presidency, have Obama's self-consciously multilateralist policies engendered popularity abroad?

By and large, no. America's enemies gloat at their gains, but like America no more. America's friends languish in diffident anxiety, though they like America no less.

Put simply, Obama's policy pleases America's foes and unsettles America's friends...

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